Paknahad, Chia, Tohidi, Mosleh, Bahadori-Jahromi, Ali ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-0405-7146 and Room, Shah (2025) Comparative study of optimised embodied carbon and cost in RC slab structures. Sustainability, 17 (19).

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Abstract

Following World War II, the rapid expansion of construction led to intensive use of natural
resources, leading to resource depletion and accelerating climate change. Prioritising
sustainability in structural design has therefore become essential. This study investigates
three reinforced concrete (RC) slab systems typical of office buildings: flat slab, beam and
slab, and two-way joist slab, using Eurocode 2 design principles. A 3 × 3 bay model
with spans from 4 m to 14 m and three concrete grades (C25/30, C32/40, C40/50) was
analysed through nonlinear finite element modelling. The methodology uniquely combines
structural optimisation with embodied carbon and cost assessments across multiple slab
typologies and span configurations, an approach rarely addressed in prior research. Results
show that two-way joist slabs achieve the most favourable balance, reducing embodied
carbon by 25–35% and construction cost by up to 15% compared to flat and beam and slab
systems. This advantage is particularly evident at spans of 10 m or more, where the ribbed
geometry significantly reduces concrete volume. Flat slabs are cost-efficient for short spans
of up to 8 m but incur up to 40% higher carbon at longer spans due to increased thickness
and punching shear reinforcement requirements. Beam and slab systems consistently
recorded the highest cost and carbon values, offering limited environmental benefits
despite their structural stiffness. The findings provide practical guidance for span-sensitive
slab selection in early design, enabling the delivery of reinforced concrete buildings that
are both cost-effective and environmentally responsible.

Item Type:	Article
Identifier:	10.3390/su17198662
Keywords:	concrete structure; embodied carbon; slab system; nonlinear analysis; two-way joist slab; flat slab
Subjects:	Construction and engineering
Date Deposited:	29 Sep 2025
URI:	https://repository.uwl.ac.uk/id/eprint/14121

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